Project description
3D genome organisation in insects
DNA in cells is packaged in association with proteins, forming chromatin. During cell division, chromatin condenses to package DNA into chromosomes, which is critical for the accurate distribution of genomic material in daughter cells. Despite its fundamental importance, there is considerable variation in the chromatin composition of eukaryotes. The ERC-funded CHROMOGENEVO project will explore how chromatin composition affects genome architecture in insects. Researchers will investigate how epigenetic changes in chromatin folding lead to unusual centromere patterns, which are key regions for chromosome movement. Moreover, the study will include an evolutionary analysis of the influence of certain 3D genome organisation features on genome function through time.
Objective
Chromatin contributes to many important processes ensuring the proper functioning of eukaryotic cells. In addition, it shapes linear and spatial genome organisation, and specifies chromosomal regions including centromeres that play a key role for chromosome segregation. Chromatin-associated factors also fold the genome in 3D to enable the transfer of chromosomes during mitosis or to regulate gene expression. Chromatin composition is however not identical among eukaryotes. How differences in chromatin composition contribute to different linear and spatial genome organisations is largely unknown.
We aim to address these unknowns in three non-overlapping aims focusing on Lepidoptera and other insects as a model system. First, we will investigate how the disruption of an essential chromatin-based epigenetic loop underlies a drastic case of centromere divergence. To this end, we will perform homology studies on centromere-specifying factors to correlate them with centromere profiles in representative insects that have convergently evolved a holocentric architecture (chromosome-wide centromeres) from monocentric ancestors (centromeres restricted to one chromosomal region). Second, applying a combination of genomics, microscopy and biophysical simulations in the holocentric moth Bombyx mori we will test how the chromosome-wide distribution of centromeres affects the spatial organisation of mitotic chromosomes. Third, using B. mori and exploiting extensive genomic datasets from related Lepidoptera we will investigate how unprecedented features in 3D genome organisation including a new chromatin compartment that we identified affect genome function and organisation over evolutionary time.
With our proposal, we will reveal how changes in chromatin lead to reorganisation of essential genomic regions and shape the topology of chromosomes in 3D, and in turn how this spatial dimension influences genome structure across evolution.
Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
You need to log in or register to use this function
Keywords
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Programme(s)
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
-
HORIZON.1.1 - European Research Council (ERC)
MAIN PROGRAMME
See all projects funded under this programme
Topic(s)
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Funding Scheme
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
HORIZON-ERC - HORIZON ERC Grants
See all projects funded under this funding scheme
Call for proposal
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
(opens in new window) ERC-2024-COG
See all projects funded under this callHost institution
Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.
75794 PARIS
France
The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.